Mechanical keyboards are not a new phenomenon; they have been around for years are becoming more common today. More and more PC games have less single player content so the basis of their appeal lies in online multiplay. For this reason, people will look for anything that could give them the slightest of advantages. A mechanical keyboard is one such device which could give you this edge thanks to its performance, NKey rollover function and the overall precise feel of the keyboard. It has to be emphasized that the Ozone Strike keyboard certainly felt very robust and up to the task of exceeding its 50,000,000 keystroke lifecycle and thus it will be quite capable of taking many years of abuse at the hands of a gamer. The removable keys will make cleaning the product very easy too so should you be the type who likes to eat while lingering over your keyboard, be safe in the knowledge that those crumbs can be extracted very easily in the future! Sweaty fingers are no problem either as if a key becomes scrathed or faded then it can be easily and quickly replaced (should it be W, S, A or D).

When I first cast eyes on the Ozone Strike I felt sure I has seen a keyboard like this before. After a quick browse I found an almost perfect match save for the printing on the keyboard itself, the Thermaltake Meka G1. While I cannot unequivocally state it is a direct copy, it is certainly a very, very similar product offering the exact same features as the Ozone Strike. The keyboard on test today however does weigh in a little cheaper costing £80 as opposed to £95 for the Meka G1. Other competitors to the Ozone Strike would be the Razer Black Widow (£74-114 depending on version) which offers macro settings, something the Ozone sadly doesn't have and that could well be a deal breaker. The Zowie Celeritas Pro is another mechanical keyboard which offers similar features yet is much more expensive at £115. With this in mind the Ozone Strike appears to be good value for money for the most part.



I have often been ridiculed for having digits that resemble sausages and hands that are akin to a JCB scoop but even I noticed a difference using this keyboard. The keyboard feels much more solid and robust than the rubber domed Microsoft Reclusa I am using at present. While I wouldn't claim it is easier to type on, each key press feels much more, well, linear and solid. It's like the first time you sit on a new sofa; it usually feels much firmer and more rigid than your tired couch back home, yet not quite as comfortable. The same anecdote can be applied here with the Ozone Strike. Those who are looking for a keyboard for writing long essays may wish to look elsewhere though as this keyboard is not for you, nor is it designed to be. It is for those people who take gaming seriously, who want the very best kit that may just give them the slight edge in the heat of battle. Win you a tourney on its own it will not, even a Fatal!ty endorsed product can't do that (despite Creatives’ claims to the contrary!). It will however give you a platform that you have faith in, one which will not fail you regardless of how many fists are slammed into it out of frustration. Put simply, the Ozone Strike is a keyboard which will be an asset to any gamer who does not need the razzmatazz of Razer or the looks of a Logitech. Performance is key (pun intended) and this is where the Ozone scores big.

While writing this review, one question was consistently playing on my mind. "Would I choose this, visually basic keyboard over a similarly priced yet better looking Razer or Logitech offering?" This is a quandary I am still engaged in as it is not as clear cut as you would think. On the one hand it feels so much better to work with while gaming. The solid feel to the keyboard really does deserve praise. On the other hand, I know I would miss the additional (perhaps unnecessary?) functions offered by the aforementioned companies. Aesthetically, the Ozone Strike is nothing special; in fact you could say it looks almost basic save for the occasional splash of red. It is certainly not as eye catching as your more traditional gaming keyboard with flashing lights, backlit keyboards and LCD screens but in all honesty, while you are gaming do you look at your keyboard or do you look at your screen? Do you need the flashy looks or should your preference be how the keyboard feels? If it's the latter than the Ozone Strike will serve you well and most likely last longer than a rubber-domed keyboard. If however, you want a well-rounded keyboard that offers both functionality and you do not mind the mushy feel of a traditional gaming keyboard then perhaps this is not a keyboard for you. The problem you have is that you cannot judge the Ozone Strike's appeal until you have tried it, once you have you will soon come to realise just how wobbly and instable a rubber domed keyboard input method is. The Ozone Strike a keyboard with one purpose in mind, gaming. If that is all you are looking for from a keyboard then you will not go far wrong with the Ozone Strike as it serves this purpose very well indeed and thus earns the Vortez stamp of approval.

Pros
+ Cherry MX Black Switches
+ Robust Keyset
+ Precise key strokes
+ USB & Audio Hub
+ Braided cable
+ Good price for a mechanical keyboard
+ Removable/Replacement keys

Cons
- Small, flimsy palm rest
- No backlight
- No macro capability

Thanks to Ozone for providing todays review sample.